Howard Center’s new Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) provides a therapeutic alternative to emergency department visits for adults experiencing a self-defined mental health crisis. Located at 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, our staff can offer immediate support in a trauma-informed setting.
This initiative is in partnership with the University of Vermont Medical Center, Community Health Centers, Pathways Vermont, and the Vermont Department of Mental Health.
Who We Serve
MHUC is here for adults over the age of 18 who:
- Are experiencing mental health concerns or distress.
- Have complex diagnoses, including intellectual disability, substance use disorder, or traumatic brain injury.
- Are in a suicide crisis.
- Have co-occurring medical conditions.
- Need immediate peer support.
Location, Phone, and Hours
Location: 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT
Phone: 802-488-MHUC (6482)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Access: No appointment needed; walk-ins are welcome. Free parking and easy access by public transportation.
Upcoming Holiday Closures
Please note that Mental Health Urgent Care will be closed on the following dates:
- Veterans Day – Monday, November 11, 2024
- Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 28, 2024
- Day After Thanksgiving – Friday, November 29, 2024
- Christmas Eve – Tuesday, December 24, 2024
- Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25, 2024
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Funding & Insurance Details
Services at Mental Health Urgent Care are fully funded and free for the first three years, with the exception of physical health services covered by insurance. Guests will be asked to provide insurance information to aid in planning for future services.
Page Contents
Services
At MHUC, we provide:
- Mental Health Support Services: Immediate mental health assessment, support, stabilization, brief interventions, and safety planning.
- Peer Support: Compassionate care from trained peer support specialists.
- Medical Care: Medical assessments and care, wound care, health education, and chronic disease management.
- Care Management: Referrals to community resources, assistance with medications, and follow-up care.
Our goal is to deliver person-centered, equitable, and coordinated care tailored to meet each guest’s needs.
Why Choose Mental Health Urgent Care?
MHUC bridges the gap between emergency care and primary care, providing timely mental health services in a supportive environment.
Our program is designed to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits by offering therapeutic options for those in need of immediate mental health support.
Downloadable Resources
- Mental Health Urgent Care FAQ
- Mental Health Urgent Care Info Sheet [English]
- Mental Health Urgent Care Info Sheet for Partners and Providers
🌐 Info Sheet Translations
عربي [Arabic] | မြန်ြာ [Burmese] | bosanski [Bosnian] | دری [Dari] | Français [French] | Kreyòl ayisyen [Haitian Creole] | Ikirundi [Kirundi] | Maay [Maay-Maay] | 普通话 [Mandarin] | नेपाली [Nepali] | پ تو [Pashto] | српски [Serbian] | Soomaali [Somali] | Español [Spanish] | kiswahili [Swahili] | བོད་མི [Tibetan] | ትግሪኛ [Tigrinya] | українська [Ukrainian] | Tiếng Việt [Vietnamese]
Telehealth Services at Howard Center
Telehealth offers a secure alternative to in-person care, using real-time audio and video tools to connect providers and clients in different locations. Learn more about telehealth at Howard Center >>
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I need ongoing support after 5:00 p.m.?
Our staff will help determine the next steps, including referrals to other programs or identifying natural supports. Guests may return the next morning for additional support.
Is there a charge for services?
MHUC is fully funded for three years. No charges or bills will be issued during this period, except for physical health medical care services covered by insurance.
Can the emergency department refer me to MHUC?
Yes, emergency department staff can refer patients to MHUC as part of a discharge plan, though they cannot refuse immediate treatment.
How is MHUC different from the emergency department?
MHUC focuses specifically on mental health and wellbeing, providing care in a trauma-informed environment tailored to the needs of each guest.
Partnering for Better Mental Health
Howard Center and community leaders cut the ribbon at the Mental Health Urgent Care (MHUC) Open House, celebrating the launch of this new facility dedicated to providing immediate, trauma-informed mental health services to adults in crisis.
Mental Health Urgent Care is a collaboration with multiple partners including:
- Howard Center: Program oversight and clinical management.
- Community Health Centers: Onsite nursing, telehealth, and follow-up medical care.
- Pathways Vermont: Peer support services.
- University of Vermont Medical Center: Providing space, funding, and support.
Support and Donations
You can support Mental Health Urgent Care by donating to Howard Center. Contact our Development and Communication office at 802-488-6913 or email DevelopmentTeam@howardcenter.org.
Other Mental Health Urgent Care Programs in Vermont:
- Counseling Service of Addison County in Middlebury: Interlude—Interlude- mental health crisis alternative : Adult Mental Health : Services : Counseling Service of Addison County (csac-vt.org)
- Washington County Mental Health Services in Montpelier: The Access Hub—The Access Hub WCMHS
- Northeast Kingdom Human Services in Newport City: The Front Porch— mental health urgent care — Northeast Kingdom Human Services (nkhs.org)